GamesIndustry.biz attended the eighth edition of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on Tuesday evening, a fully digital showcase that filled the virtual hall to capacity. Every virtual seat was taken, and a parade of well‑known gaming personalities made appearances.
Xbox’s senior leader Asha Sharma was spotted near the front of the crowd, striking a playful "X" with her arms as the camera swept past her. The evening began with Geoff Keighley delivering a surprisingly personal opening address. He recounted how, after last year’s event, he flew home to be with his ailing father, who passed away shortly thereafter. Keighley then turned to the broader state of the industry, acknowledging that the sector is undergoing rapid change.
He cited the wave of layoffs and the surge in hardware prices driven by a shortage of AI‑related components, yet he emphasized that developers worldwide continue to push forward, creating fresh experiences despite the headwinds. The first trailer that rolled on the screen lit up with the word "Hoyoverse," prompting audible gasps from the audience. The reaction underscored the global reach of Hoyoverse’s flagship titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail.
The featured game was Nodusfall, a sleek cooperative action title that bears a clear resemblance to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, with players teaming up to hunt massive, dragon‑like beasts. Nodusfall set the tone for a night that highlighted the growing influence of Asian studios.
Several Chinese and Korean developers showcased their upcoming projects: NC’s cyber‑punk city shooter Cinder City and the narrative‑driven Like or Die, Krafton’s battle‑royale sequel PUBG: Ded.Net, Netease’s sci‑fi adventure Ananta and the post‑apocalyptic Sea of Remnants, Ti Games’ quirky platformer Zoopunk, and Eclipse Glow Games’ tactical brawler Tides of Annihilation. Hoyoverse also revealed a new life‑simulation experience called Petit Planet, adding another feather to its already crowded portfolio. A major surprise came when Naoki Hamaguchi stepped onto the stage to announce Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, slated for a spring 2027 release.
Unlike the previous two entries in the recent VII remake line‑up, Revelation will launch on every current platform simultaneously, breaking the tradition of PlayStation‑first exclusivity. The event also featured Jon Bloch and Pavel Ulmer of 4A Games, who unveiled the trailer for Metro 2039, scheduled for February 2027. Bloch described the project as a “dark, demanding undertaking” that required “passion, discipline, and a team accustomed to working under chaotic conditions.” Ulmer added candidly that development had been “pretty rough.” The trailer opened with a proud declaration, "Proudly made in Ukraine," paying homage to the studio’s origins. Undoubtedly the most electrifying moment of the night was the announcement concerning The Witcher 3.
The legendary RPG will receive a comprehensive remaster that upgrades combat mechanics, adds ray‑tracing, and refines numerous systems. In a generous move, CD Projekt Red said the remaster will be offered as a free upgrade to anyone who owns the original game as of September 29. In addition, the two original expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, will also be provided at no cost to base‑game owners, paving the way for the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, due in 2027. Level‑design lead Miles Tost explained that the studio had long wanted “one more story” for Geralt, and a brief look at the new expansion revealed Geralt wielding a fresh chain weapon.
Wizards of the Coast took the stage to reveal the space‑opera adventure Exodus, set for an April 7, 2027 launch, and also presented an extended gameplay trailer for the Dungeons & Dragons title Warlock, which is slated for release sometime next year but has yet to receive a firm date. Other notable trailers included Behaviour Interactive’s Exterminauts, a lighter‑hearted take on Helldivers 2 produced in partnership with Level Infinite; Lego Skylines, a city‑building sandbox published by Paradox Interactive; and Ontos from Frictional Games and Kepler, billed as a spiritual successor to the acclaimed horror title Soma. MBC Game Studio, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Media Broadcasters Company, debuted its first project, 1001 Threads of Mizan. The quirky trailer for Showa American Story, featuring a protagonist who attacks enemies with an American flag and an arm‑mounted drill, earned a modest round of applause, suggesting that 4Divinity’s strategy of embracing eccentric AA titles may be paying off.
Meanwhile, RedOctane’s Stage Tour sparked genuine cheers, indicating that the revival of rhythm‑action guitar games is a welcome development for many fans. Nostalgia also made an appearance. Sega offered a first look at Crazy Taxi World Tour, while Saber Interactive confirmed Turok: Origins for a spring 2027 release. Heroes of Might and Magic III received news of a full remake, arriving 27 years after its original 1999 launch.
Indie showcases shone as well. Unrelated Studio’s atmospheric Lofsöng, Airship Syndicate’s Dust: Origins, and Daniel Mullins’ wildly imaginative Pony Island 2: Panda Circus (arriving April 27, 2027) all generated buzz among the audience.
The pre‑show segment delivered a few more surprises. Team 17 announced Worms: Galactic Tactics, an isometric turn‑based strategy game slated for 2027. RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks was revealed as an upcoming Early Access title that retains the pixel‑art aesthetic of the beloved classic.
Dlala Studios’ horror‑themed Murals secured legendary comedian Bob Mortimer for voice‑over work, adding a humorous twist to its spooky premise. Indie studio Duck Reaction previewed Perceptum, a 2027 release with a chilling trailer that shows an elderly woman closing her eyes to commune with the beyond. Finally, Amplitude Studios, now independent after separating from Sega in 2024, confirmed that Humankind 2 will launch in 2027.
Studio head Romain de Waubert de Genlis previously described the original 2021 Humankind as the company’s most successful title both financially and in player count, setting high expectations for the sequel.